The University of Queensland and CSIRO celebrated the launch today of Australia’s largest research complex dedicated to human, animal and plant biology – the Queensland Bioscience Precinct.
The $105 million complex at UQ’s St Lucia campus in Brisbane was officially opened by Federal Minister for Education, Science and Training Dr Brendan Nelson and Queensland Premier Peter Beattie.
The precinct brings together 700 scientists from UQ’s Institute for Molecular Bioscience (IMB) and CSIRO’s divisions of Livestock Industries, Plant Industry and Sustainable Ecosystems.
The new facility, the largest of its kind in Australia, will encourage diverse collaborative research and commercialization over a wide range of bioscience areas, including gene discovery, livestock and plant industries and the development of sustainable ecosystems.
The precinct covers 35,000 square metres on a 1.6 hectare site, and includes four major buildings, dedicated conference facilities and high-tech research laboratories.
Funding for the project was contributed by CSIRO ($50 million), UQ ($15 million) the Queensland Government ($15 million), the Federation Fund ($15 million), and The Atlantic Philanthropies ($10 million).
Prime Minister John Howard said the Federal Government was pleased to have provided $15 million from the Federation Fund towards the precinct.
“It will build a critical mass of research excellence in human, animal and plant biology,” Mr Howard said.
“The collaboration of researchers from multiple disciplines within the precinct will generate a wider range of expertise, and a collaborative environment leading to better opportunities for joint projects and ventures.”
Mr Beattie said his Government’s support for the precinct was part of a Smart State initiative, in partnership with private enterprise and the academic sector, to ensure Queenslanders participated in the benefits of discoveries with commercial applications.
“We have invested heavily in research and development facilities, like the precinct and the $60 million Clive Berghofer Cancer Research Centre at the Queensland Institute of Medical Research,” Mr Beattie said.
“The $100 million Smart State Research Facilities Fund is helping establish an Australian Tropical Forests Institute and an Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation.
“Through Queensland Investment Corporation – we have supported the establishment of the $100 million Queensland BioCapital Fund. The fund enables investment in bioventures capable of providing strong commercial returns.”
University of Queensland Vice-Chancellor Professor John Hay said the new precinct put Queensland scientific research firmly on the world map.
“Biological technology in its many forms is one of the major growth areas for the future and is in keeping with Queensland’s Smart State strategy,” Professor Hay said.
CSIRO Chief Executive Dr Geoff Garrett said his organisation looked forward to an exciting and fruitful alliance with UQ and other partners.
“Science in the 21st Century is all about working in large teams on large issues – working across traditional institutional and disciplinary boundaries and harnessing the synergies of diversity,” Dr Garrett said.
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